JC lineman ready to visit Arkansas
Junior college defensive lineman Noah Jefferson is familiar with the Arkansas Razorbacks’ football program despite never stepping foot in the state.
Jefferson’s brother Cameron, an offensive tackle, transferred to Arkansas from Nevada- Las Vegas for his senior year and went on play for the Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears.
The younger Jefferson will be able to get an in- depth look at the Hogs when he and four other junior college prospects start their official visits today.
Jefferson, 6- 6, 320 pounds, of Arizona Western College, signed with Southern Cal out of Las Vegas Liberty High School in 2015. He made 23 tackles for the Trojans while playing in 14 games and starting one as a freshman.
He started the season opener against Alabama the following year, but redshirted the rest of the season after enduring injuries. He then left USC and enrolled in junior college.
He plans to be a spring graduate and would have two years to play two at his new school.
“Actually if I wasn’t going to SC, I would’ve gone to Arkansas out of high school, but SC was just more comfortable at the time,” he said.
His parents Michele and William will accompany him on the official visit. Jefferson said his mother is fond of Razorbacks Coach Bret Bielema.
“She loves Coach Bielema from the way he handled Cameron,” Jefferson said.
Jefferson has scholarship offers from the Hogs, UCLA, Arizona, Oregon State, Ole Miss, Fresno State, Central Florida and others.
The Razorbacks have commitments from defensive tackle Emmit Gooden, 6- 4, 320, of Independence ( Kan.) Community College, defensive lineman John Mincey, 6- 4, 265, 4.7 seconds in the 40- yard dash, of Homerville ( Ga.) Clinch County and Springdale defensive lineman Isaiah Nichols, 6- 3, 265.
The Hogs beat out Alabama, Oklahoma, Tennessee, USC and others for Gooden, and Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and numerous others for Mincey. Gaining Jefferson’s signature would help the Razorbacks shore up the defensive line for next season.
Jefferson said his brother has spoken well of Bielema and the Razorbacks. “He’s telling me, ‘ They’re probably the school that’s going to get you ready for the league the most and develop you with your character on and off the field,’ ” Jefferson said. “So I’m excited about that.”
Coming out of high school, ESPN rated Jefferson as a 4- star prospect, the No. 25 defensive tackle and No. 287 overall prospect in the nation for the 2015 class. GridironRR. com rates him the No. 21 junior college prospect in the nation.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the school, the atmosphere and the relationship the coaches have with their players,” Jefferson said of his Arkansas trip. “That really means a lot for me.”
Jefferson also said he is excited for his first trip to SEC territory.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what the SEC is like,” Jefferson said. “I’ve never been down South. I’ve never been anywhere besides the East Coast or the West Coast. I grew up in Cincinnati.”
Jefferson has plans to visit Oregon State on Dec. 7 along with a trip to UCF. He said he’s also considering a visit to Ole Miss.
MORE JC VISITORS
Arkansas will also be hosting three other top 50 junior college prospects this weekend: Safety Aaron Maddox, linebacker Will Honas and offensive tackle Jahmir Johnson
Maddox, 6- 2, 192, 4.46, of Pima Community College in Tucson, Ariz., has scholarship offers from Arkansas, Colorado, North Carolina State, Maryland, Louisville, Kansas, and others.
Honas, 6- 2, 220, of Butler County ( Kan.) Community College, has offers from the Hogs, Iowa, Ole Miss, California, Kansas State and others.
Johnson, 6- 6, 290, of Arizona Western College, has offers from Arkansas, USC, Tennessee, Missouri, Iowa State, Minnesota, West Virginia, Maryland and others. He said he’s heard good things about the Razorbacks from good friend, Arkansas senior running back David Williams.
GridironRR. com rates Johnson as the No. 4 junior college prospect in the nation, Maddox No. 25 and Honas No. 28.
Linebacker Davion Taylor, 6- 2, 220, of Coahoma Community College ( Miss.), is committed to Colorado and is the fifth prospect expected to visit this weekend. GridironRR. com rates him the No. 14 linebacker in the nation.
Recent offensive tackle commitment Noah Banks, 6- 7, 300, of Iowa Western Community College, is GridironRR. com’s No. 29 junior college prospect.